The City of Port Colborne’s Comprehensive Community Improvement Plan (CIP) offers financial incentives to promote commercial and mixed-use building revitalization in the Downtown, Main Street and East Waterfront areas, as well as affordable housing and brownfield redevelopment across the City’s urban area.
Approved by Council on November 28, 2023, the Comprehensive CIP replaced the City’s six former Community Improvement Plans. The Niagara Gateway Economic Zone and Centre CIP continues to be offered separately.
Meet with City staff to discuss your project before submitting an application. Staff can help identify which programs your project may qualify for and explain the application requirements.
To arrange a pre-application meeting, contact Customer Service.
Submit your application
To submit your application for review, deliver a completed copy of the CIP application, at least two quotes, and any other information you may have to City Hall.
Your application must be approved before you begin construction related to the application. Grants cannot be applied for or issued retroactively.
Completed applications and supporting information must be submitted by noon on the following dates to be considered for that month’s review.
January: No CIP meeting
February 11, 2026
March 11, 2026
April 8, 2026
May 13, 2026
June 10, 2026
July 8, 2026
August 12, 2026
September 9, 2026
October 7, 2026
November 19, 2026
December 17, 2026
January: No CIP meeting
Feb 18, 2027
Mar 18, 2027
Apr 15, 2027
May 20, 2027
Jun 17, 2027
Jul 15, 2027
Aug 19, 2027
Sept 16, 2027
Oct 21, 2027
Nov 18, 2027
Dec 16, 2027
CIP Incentive Programs
Explore the eight programs below for information about funding, eligible areas and project requirements.
Environmental Site Assessment Grant Program
The purpose of the Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) Grant Program is to promote the undertaking of environmental studies so that more and better information is available with respect to the type of contamination and potential remediation costs on brownfield properties.
A grant equal to 50% of the cost of an environmental assessment can be covered, so that more information surrounding brownfield properties can be discovered. This is to the amount of:
grant of $20,000 per study;
two studies per project; and,
$30,000 per project.
Brownfield Community Improvement Project Area (entire urban area)
All properties, but applicants must clearly demonstrate a legitimate intention to undertake eligible community improvement/redevelopment of the property.
Urban Design Grant Program
This program helps offset the cost of professionally prepared urban design studies, architectural and design drawings, and heritage impact assessments that meet the City’s Urban Design Guidelines and other applicable guidelines.
A grant equal to 50% of the cost of preparing professional urban design studies, architectural/design drawings, and heritage impact assessments to a maximum grant of $2,000 per property/project.
Main Street Community Improvement Area (CIPA)
Downtown Community Improvement Area (CIPA)
East Waterfront Community Improvement Area (CIPA)
All properties with potential for eligible community improvements
Facade and Property Improvement Grant Program
This program supports the rehabilitation, restoration, preservation and improvement of front, side and rear facades of existing commercial, institutional and mixed-use buildings. It also supports storefront improvements, including display areas and signage.
Front facade and storefront improvements:
Up to 50% of eligible improvement and restoration costs, to a maximum of $20,000 per project.
The maximum grant may increase by up to $5,000, on a matching 50/50 basis, for properties designated under the Ontario Heritage Act.
Side and rear facade improvements:
A separate grant may cover up to 50% of eligible improvement and restoration costs, to a maximum of $5,000 per project.
Side and rear facades must be highly visible from a public road, public parking area or public open space.
Main Street Community Improvement Area (CIPA)
Downtown Community Improvement Area (CIPA)
East Waterfront Community Improvement Area (CIPA)
Existing commercial, institutional and mixed-use buildings.
Residential Grant Program
This program provides a financial incentive to improve existing housing and increase the supply of residential units.
A grant equal to 50% of the cost of renovating existing residential units and/or constructing new residential units, calculated at $15 per square foot, to a maximum of:
$15,000 per unit
Five units per property or project
$75,000 per property or project
Main Street Community Improvement Area (CIPA)
Downtown Community Improvement Area (CIPA)
East Waterfront Community Improvement Area (CIPA)
Renovation to existing residential units in mixed use buildings to Building Code, Fire Code, and Property Standards Bylaw.
Conversion of excess/vacant commercial space on upper stories of commercial and mixed use buildings into one or more net residential units.
Intensification of existing mixed use or residential apartment/multi-unit building that adds one or more net residential units.
Vacant lots (including parking lots) converting to mixed use or residential use where two or more net residential units are being created.
Affordable Rental Housing Grant Program
This program provides a financial incentive to increase the supply of new affordable rental housing.
A grant equal to 50% of the cost of constructing new affordable rental housing units, calculated at $15 per square foot, to a maximum of:
$15,000 per unit
Five units per property or project
$75,000 per property or project
Entire urban area, but priority will be given to applications in Main Street, Downtown, and East Waterfront CIPAs.
New affordable rental housing units created through:
Conversion of excess or vacant commercial space on upper storeys of commercial and mixed-use buildings.
Intensification of existing mixed-use or residential apartment or multi-unit buildings.
Development of vacant lots.
This program can be combined with the Residential Grant Program in Main Street, Downtown and East Waterfront, where applicable.
Brownfields Tax Assistance Program
This program helps offset environmental remediation costs associated with brownfield redevelopment by providing assistance toward increases in property taxes.
Cancellation of the City property tax increase for up to five years during and after redevelopment.
Cancellation of the education property tax increase requires approval from the Minister of Finance through a separate application process.
Brownfield Community Improvement Project Area (entire urban area)
The property must have a corresponding Brownfield Tax Increment Grant application.
Tax Increment Grant Program
The Tax Increment Grant (TIG) Program supports substantial rehabilitation, redevelopment, development, infill and intensification projects. It helps offset the resulting increase in City property taxes and is also designed to assist with securing project financing.
An annual grant equal to 80% of the City property tax increase generated by the project, for up to 10 years following project completion.
The grant may increase to 100% for affordable rental housing units.
Main Street Community Improvement Area (CIPA)
Downtown Community Improvement Area (CIPA)
East Waterfront Community Improvement Area (CIPA)
Projects that create a minimum increase in the property’s assessment value, as determined by the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC).
Development Charge Grant Program
The Development Charge Grant (DCG) Program provides financial assistance toward eligible City development charges.
Funding available: A grant equal to 50% of the City development charges payable.
Eligible areas:
Main Street Community Improvement Area (CIPA)
Downtown Community Improvement Area (CIPA)
East Waterfront Community Improvement Area (CIPA)
Applicants must choose between the Tax Increment Grant Program and the Development Charge Grant Program.
Funding available: A grant equal to 100% of the City development charges payable on affordable rental housing units.
Eligible areas: The entire urban area.
Applicants must choose between the Tax Increment Grant Program and the Development Charge Grant Program.
Funding available: A grant equal to up to 100% of the City development charges payable.
Eligible areas: Brownfield Community Improvement Project Area.
Applicants must apply and be approved for a Brownfield Tax Increment Grant.
Niagara Gateway Economic Zone and Centre CIP
The Niagara Gateway Economic Zone and Centre Community Improvement Plan offers separate tax increment and development charge incentives for eligible industrial development in Port Colborne’s urban area. These incentives have their own eligibility requirements and are separate from the Comprehensive CIP programs described above.
For program details, visit Niagara Economic Development.
